Enrichment classes also added

If you’ve made a resolution to get active, here is your chance! The Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation Department starts new winter programming next week, and they can really help people shed those unwanted holiday pounds. “We had a participant that came to every class for five weeks and dropped two dress sizes, so it does work,” noted Parks and Rec Director Amanda Gerhardt.

Winter Session 2 begins Monday, January 7 and sign ups for the programs are underway. Some programs for the session include the return of youth dance and Broadway Bootcamp on Mondays, Young Rembrandts Art Class on Tuesday, and they are bringing in new instructors for Body Bootcamp and ZUMBA, both on Thursday. Other returning programs include, yoga, tae kwon do, mens open basketball, and coed open volleyball. These programs all allow registration at the door and take place at the Cedar Springs Middle School.

Enrichment classes will also be offered this winter. “We are bringing back our standard programs, but have added a few new ones into the mix,” explained Gerhardt. “Over the past few years we have been hearing from the community that they want to have programs other than recreation, so we have been working to put some together.” This January they will offer basic Spanish and Digitial photography. “We know that many members of our community go to Rockford, GRCC, or other places for these classes, but we are glad to announce that they can stay right here close to home, and experience these classes for a lower price as well,” she said. These classes will also be held at the Cedar Springs Middle School. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged so that supplies can be purchased and to insure manageable class sizes.

The 9th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance is around the corner and tickets will be on sale at Cedar Springs Public Schools district office (Hilltop) from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday, and at Cedar Springs Middle School from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The event will be held on Saturday, February 2, at the Cedar Springs Middle School. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the dance begins at 7 p.m. During the event there will be snacks and drinks, door prizes awarded, a craft project for each girl to create and take home, and a 5×7 photo will be taken of each father and daughter. These are included in the ticket price. In addition, there are special make your own stuffed animals by Tina’s Animal Workshop for sale. These animals will have special Daddy-Daughter Dance apparel available as well. Cost for a couple is $15, for a group of three is $18, and a group of four or more $20. This year all tickets must be prepurchased, meaning no sales at the door of the dance. So get your tickets early before they run out. They are only selling to 200 families and they are already going quickly.

If you were thinking of running at the Fifth Third River Bank run this May, you could join the Springs runs the River training group. You can train for the 5K, 10K, or 25K. The group will begin meeting on Saturday mornings in February. Training can be hard, so join the group and have some fun during your training.

For more information on these and to get registration forms, log onto www.csaparksandrec.com, visit the Cedar Springs Public Schools District Office or the Cedar Springs Middle School in the evenings of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. We also have a Facebook page, so check us out by searching “Cedar Springs Area Parks & Recreation” and see announcements. We hope to make your new year exciting and to help you stick to your resolution as well.